@IOForienteering

Tove Alexandersson, Sweden and Matthias Kyburz, Switzerland both won their second individual gold medal of the Championships in the Middle Distance Final at Černá Voda, Czech Republic today. Alexandersson put on an impressive display of high-speed orienteering, winning by 2.13 and the fastest throughout. Kyburz also enjoyed a comfortable victory – by 34 seconds.

Early leader in the women’s race was Maja Alm, Denmark who set a marker time of 35.37. In the end there were four others who were faster: silver medallist Judith Wyder, Switzerland, bronze medallist Marika Teini, Finland who was 12 seconds slower than Wyder, and Emily Kemp, Canada. This was Marika Teini’s first international medal; she was second in the World Cup Sprint in Poland earlier in the month so she has clearly moved up a level this year.

Of the later starters (leaders in the qualification races yesterday), only Judith Wyder finished in a high position.

Judith Wyder, Tove Alexandersson, Marika Teini

For a long time it seemed that the finish time of Gustav Bergman, Sweden, was not going to be beaten, but last starter Matthias Kyburz had other ideas, and after a very good second half of the course he stormed to the finish to contribute again to a very good week for the Swiss. Bergman remained the fastest on the first part of the course. Lucas Basset, France took the bronze medal with a time 51 seconds slower than Kyburz’s. There were 5 Swiss athletes in the top 11 in the results list.

Gustav Bergman, Matthias Kyburz, Lucas Basset

The Championships finish tomorrow with the forest Relay at the same venue, starting at 1000 CET.